NOTE: Labrador Rescue
organizations may freely give a copy with each dog they place. The only
restriction is that the article must be complete and retain our names &
copyright. Please let us know if you use this material for rescue adoptors
and please give us any feedback you think would improve this article for
this purpose.

Characteristics
and Temperament

The main characteristics
of Labradors are their coat, tail, head and temperament. They have a double
coat: a soft, downy undercoat that keeps them dry and warm in cold water
and a hard outer coat that helps them repel water. Their tail, described
best as an otter tail, is thick at the base and tapers to a narrower point.
It should not be carried over the back nor should it have a curl to it.
It should, however, be at exactly coffee table height and always be ready
to swipe one clean. Their head is clean cut and somewhat broad, with hanging
ears. Their expression is alert and intelligent and conveys a kind, friendly
temperament.

Their best feature
is their temperament. Labs are loving, people oriented dogs. They are happiest
when they are with you. Labs are retrievers and will bring you things they
find laying about your house or yard. They tend to be quite patient with
children and wonderful family dogs. They are not guard dogs. They may bark
protectively, but will generally not act more aggressively. Labs are wonderful
people dogs, more likely to lick someone to death than hurt them. They
tend to be stable, not easily upset by strange things or occurrences. They
will take many things in stride.

In the U.S., there
are two distinct "lines" of Labradors: field lines and show lines. Field
line Labradors have been bred with an emphasis on field or hunting ability,
and show line Labradors have been bred with an emphasis on conformation
and temperament. There is some dissension between the two groups, with
field people claiming that show lines have lost much of their hunting and
retrieving abilities, and show people claiming that field lines do not
much look like Labradors any more and lack correct temperament. The truth
is likely somewhere in between. Dogs from field lines will generally have
a lot of drive, and will often exhibit more energy. Dogs from show lines
might not be as fast, but most are capable hunters, though not necessarily
field trial material. Either type can make a pleasant companion for a day
out of doors.

Labrador Retrievers
are people- and action- oriented dogs, and can become bored if left to
their own devices. They can be destructive when bored or frustrated. They
require attention and love as much as food and water. Labradors are easy
to train which makes obedience work a fun way to interact with your dog.
Labradors also require plenty of exercise -- this is especially true since
most Labs love to eat! Ensuring they get proper exercise, training, and
attention will give you a happy, healthy Labrador.

Frequently
Asked Questions

What is the difference
between a Labrador and a Retriever?

Retrievers
are a type of dog. They are, literally, dogs that retrieve and were originally
bred to retrieve game for hunters both on land and in the water. There
are six breeds recognized as Retrievers by the AKC. They are: Labrador
Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Flat Coated Retrievers,
Curly Coated Retrievers and Irish Water Spaniels. There are other breeds
of Retrievers not currently recognized by the AKC, for example CKC's Nova
Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.

Labradors don't shed,
do they?

Actually,
they do. Labradors have what is called a double coat. This means that they
have a soft, downy undercoat and a harder guard coat. These two types of
coat help keep the dog warm and dry while swimming in cold waters when
retrieving ducks. Generally Labradors will shed their coat twice a year.
This is called "blowing" their coat. They are moderate shedders, not enthusiastic
ones such as Alaskan Malamutes or German ShepherdDogs. There will be a
certain amount of hair loss throughout the year, especially in more temperate
climates. This varies individually; some Labradors shed less than others,
especially if they happen to have an incorrect coat.

How much grooming do
they need?

Labs need
to be brushed on a regular basis (about once a week) to keep them clean.
This will also help keep the shedding under control. A "slicker" type brush,
which you can buy at any pet store, works nicely. Labs, like all dogs,
need to have their toenails clipped regularly. You can get a canine nail
clipper at any pet store and your vet can demonstrate to you the best way
to clip their nails. Labs do not need to be bathed frequently. The Labrador
coat does not need constant attention. A true bath, which includes shampooing
the coat, is only necessary if the dog smells bad. Generally, if a dog
is merely dusty or muddy, you can rinse them off with plain water or wait
until they are dry and brush the dirt out to restore them to cleanliness.
Shampooing them too often is not a good idea as shampoo tends to strip
the natural oils out of their coats. A properly oily coat repels dirt and
sheds water easily.

In general, Labrador
coats are low-maintenance.

Are Labradors hyper?

A Labrador
with correct temperament is never hyperactive. Individual dogs can be.
With the steady increase of popularity of the breed in recent years, more
and more Labradors are being bred by people who have less regard for temperament
than established breeders. Some people claim that field line Labradors
are hyper and show lines are mellow. Others claim that field line Labradors
are mellow and show lines are hyper! In reality, it appears that "backyard
bred" Labradors have by far the worst temperaments. If you don't breed
for good temperaments, you won't get them except by accident. ("Backyard
breeders" refers to people with little or no knowledge of breeding dogs
doing so mostly for the money or because it seems the thing to do, or even
by accident. A better term is "disreputable breeders." There are plenty
of small-scale, or hobby, breeders with wonderful reputations for producing
sound, good tempered, well-balanced dogs.)

The best advice for
finding a Labrador with the right temperament is to thoroughly investigate
the breeders you are considering. Ask to see their other dogs--this should
give you an idea of the energy level you can expect from their puppies.
Ask for the names of other people who have previously purchased dogs from
them -- and then contact these people and ask them whether they'd recommend
this breeder or not. Labradors with poor temperaments are often the result
of thoughtless breeding and will not appear in dogs from either show lines
or field lines that have been conscientiously bred.

However, Labradors
are
active dogs especially in puppyhood. And Labradors often do not fully mature
until around 3 years of age! This means you will have a dog that is mentally
a puppy (with a puppy's energy) until this age regardless of its physical
size! Often a Lab puppy is labelled hyperactive when it is simply a normal,
exuberant and bouncy puppy. If you are prepared to deal with this period
of time in their lives, you will not have problems. It is the people caught
unprepared who then label their puppy hyperactive and incorrigible and
dump it.

What is "butt-tucking"?

"Butt-tucking"
(not limited to Labs) is when your pup suddenly starts running in circles
at top speed with his rear tucked under him. Most Labradors do this. It
does not indicate a problem with your Lab, either with its temperament
or its joints. However, you will want to keep a sharp eye out that you
are not injured during this free-for-all!

Labradors are popular,
aren't they?

Yes. Since
1991, they have been the top registered dog with the AKC. This mean that
there are a lot of people out there breeding Labradors. You need
to be very careful about where you get your Labrador. Disreputable
breeders are the primary source for hyper, ill-behaved and ill-favored
Labradors. With a bit of research and care, you can find good puppies.
The average price for a properly bred Labrador puppy is about 400-600 dollars,
more for a show- or field trial- quality puppy. If you are asked to pay
substantially more or less for a puppy without good reason given, be wary.

I'm confused -- which
kind of Labrador will make a better hunter, a show-line or field-line Labrador?

Most Labradors,
show and field bred, make great hunters. Your own level of expertise in
picking out likely puppies and training them is probably as important as
the pedigree of the dog. You should consider what kind of hunting you do,
how much experience you have, and discuss all of this with the breeders
you consult.

If you are specifically
interested in field trials, you are advised to look for good field trial
kennels. (Just as, if you are interested in showing in conformation, you
should look for good breed ring kennels.) This split is unfortunate, but
it does occur since both field trials and conformation trials are essentially
highly specialized sports. Very few breeders have the resources to compete
seriously in both venues.

No matter which lines
you are interested in, you should try to find the puppies that are well
balanced with correct structure and conformation as the base. Whether you
are interested in pet, show, hunting, etc., will determine the other characteristics
that you want. But an unsound dog does not make a good show dog, hunter,
obedience dog, nor pet!

Do they make good guard
dogs?

Labradors
are not reliable guards. Some can be protective and most will probably
bark if they hear or see something they don't like -- particularly if it
is near their yard. If your main purpose in getting a dog is to have a
guard dog, a Labrador is not a good choice, but if you want an "alarm"
barker, most Labradors are fine.

Are you
a burgler?

What kind of work
can Labradors do?

Besides hunting,
doing field trials, and being terrific pets? Quite a bit. Many Labradors
are used as Service and Therapy dogs, for example. Still others do very
well in Search and Rescue work, as well as making excellent Bomb, Narcotic,
and Arson dogs. Their nose, disposition, and trainability make them particularly
suitable for these types of activities and the breed has a distinguished
history in these endeavors.

Interestingly, in comparison
to other breeds, such as Goldens, there are relatively few Labradors in
obedience competition. No one is quite certain why, although of course
several theories have been advanced, from Labradors are a little too "disobedient"
(a necessary ability in Service work -- to disobey an unsafe command),
to most people with Labradors being involved in other activities such as
Hunt Tests.

How are they with children?

As a breed,
Labradors tend to be good with children. However, as with any dog, it is
not a good idea to let puppies and children play unattended. Both puppies
and children tend to be unaware of their own size and strength and could
accidentally injure one another. Labradors aren't likely to intentionally
hurt anyone, but could knock a child over when they thought they were playing.
By the same measure, children can inadvertently hurt a puppy if they aren't
supervised. As a parent of a young child and the owner of a young Lab puppy,
realize that you will have to spend time teaching both the child and the
puppy how to behave around one another.

Do Labradors like to
swim?

Labradors
love
to swim. In general, they take to swimming quite naturally. But don't be
alarmed if your little pup is unsure about swimming the first time--they
have to learn about swimming just like anything else. Never throw
a young puppy into the water! If you have an adult dog around that enjoys
swimming, the pup will probably follow it in happily. You could also wade
in yourself and have the pup follow. Be aware though that pups have sharp
nails which can be painful if they try to climb up on you in the water.
The pup's first introduction to the water should be at a spot where there
is a gradual entry, rather than a sharp drop off, and there should be no
current at all. Let the pup explore the water at his own pace; if he just
wants to splash and wade for now, let him. As he gains confidence, he will
go in deeper.

Another important caveat
is that dogs should not be allowed unattended access to a swimming pool
unless you know that they know how to get out. Dogs often cannot easily
pull themselves out of the pool and even strong swimmers will tire if they
can't find an easy way out of the water. And if you do let your Lab in
your swimming pool, check that filter often! Dogs shed much more than people
do.

Are there golden Labs?
What is the difference between golden and yellow Labs?

Labradors
come in three colors: black, chocolate, and yellow. Yellow Labradors are
often mistakenly called "golden Labradors." The term yellow refers to a
range of color from nearly white to gold to fox-red. The Golden Retriever
is a separate breed from the Labrador, although there are similarities.
Sometimes the term is used informally to refer to a Labrador / Golden Retriever
mix.

Are there any other
colors of Labradors?

No. Black,
chocolate, and yellow are the only correct colors. While mis-marked purebred
Labradors are possible, be wary of those selling "rare" Labradors of other
colors at exorbitant prices. There are yellow Labradors that are so pale
they appear white, but they are still considered "yellow" and will usually
have some color, even if it is only on the ear tips. "White" (very light
yellow) Labradors are not unusual nor rare and should not command a significant
price hike. The same goes for "fox red" (very dark yellow) Labradors. "Silver"
Labradors are purely a scam and are either crosses with Weimaraners or
very light chocolates. An actual silver Labrador (a dilute chocolate) would
be treated as a mismarked dog and not command a high price. Variations
in the color of yellow Labradors, however, are not penalized, but treated
the same as any other yellow Labrador.

Can you get yellow
Labradors from black ones? And vice versa? What about chocolates?

Yes, you can
get yellows from blacks and blacks from yellows. Similarly, you can get
chocolates from blacks or yellows and vice-versa. It all depends on what
color genes the parents carry. The only absolutes are that if both parents
are yellow, the resulting puppies are always yellow, never black or chocolate;
if both parents are chocolate, you can get yellow or chocolate puppies
but never black ones.

Are there differences
between Labs of different colors?

Aside from
the color itself, there are no differences. Many people feel that black
Labs are better hunters, yellow dogs are lazier, and chocolate dogs are
hardheaded and stubborn. None of this is true. The reason is pure genetics.
Coat color in normally colored Labs is determined by two genes unrelated
to anything else about the dog. It is perfectly possible to get all three
colors in the same litter, therefore the notion that there is a color based
difference in temperament and/or ability is absurd.

Alright, so what is
the nitty gritty on coat color inheritance?

Two sets of
genes, not one, control a Lab's coloration. One set of genes controls whether
the Lab will be dark (either black or chocolate) or light (yellow). Dark
is dominant over light. Thus a Lab whose genotype is EE (homozygous dominant)
or Ee (heterozygous) will be dark; only Labs that are ee (homozygous recessive)
can be light.

The second set of genes
only come into play if the Lab is dark (either EE or Ee). This set controls
whether the Lab is black (the dominant trait) or chocolate (the recessive
trait). Thus, a dark dog (ie. EE/Ee) that is BB (homozygous dominant) or
Bb (heterozygous) will be black, while the only way a dog can be chocolate
is for it to be dark (EE/Ee) AND bb (homozygous recessive).

So now, the possibilities
for black dogs are EEBB, EEBb, EeBB, or EeBb. The possibilities for a yellow
dog are eeBB, eeBb, or eebb. And the possibilities for a chocolate dog
are EEbb or Eebb. Remember that puppies will get one E/e from the dam and
one from the sire, as well as one B/b from the dam and one from the sire
to make up their complete "code". If you had two parents that were both
EeBb (black in appearance), you can get all three colors in the resulting
litter! Furthermore, when you realize that a pair of yellows can only give
their puppies the ee combination, you understand why two yellows only produce
yellows. In a similar fashion, two chocolates can only bequeath bb to their
puppies, so two chocolates can never produce a black puppy.

The eebb is an interesting
case, as this is a yellow dog with chocolate pigmentation on its nose and
eyerims. A dog that is bb always has this pigmentation. Under the current
standard, a yellow with chocolate pigmentation is disqualified.

If the Lab is mismarked,
for example Black and Tan, or brindled, there are other allelles present
in that dog's makeup. If you are interested in a further discussion of
these genes, do look up Clarence C. Little's classic book, The Inheritance
of Coat Color in Dogs.

What is a Dudley?

This is a
yellow Labrador with chocolate pigmentation (eebb). It can also refer to
a Lab with absolutely no pigmentation on the nose or eyerims (all pink
in color), but in actuality, this is extremely rare, and probably a genetic
abnormality.

But I see some Labradors
with a pinkish nose.

Yes, this
happens with many breeds, actually. It is called "winter nose" or "snow
nose." Many yellow Labs will have dark noses in the summer that fade somewhat
in the winter and repeat the cycle the next year. It is not understood
why this happens. You can see it in many northern breeds such as Huskies
and Malamutes as well. This is not considered a fault in any of these breeds
and is not penalized. To differentiate between Labs with faded noses and
Dudleys, check the eyerims and gum tissue of the dogs. A Dudley will have
only light pink or tan skin; the other dogs will have black pigment in
these areas.

Do they jump fences?
Are they good escape artists?

They are not
renowned for this as a breed, although individual Labradors can be clever
at escaping. Some can be good at opening doors and latches. A six-foot
fence properly grounded will keep a Labrador from jumping, although many
Labradors will never jump a four-foot fence perimeter. Because they can
chew a lot, take care that your enclosure cannot be chewed through. They
can also be good climbers, so check for possible footholds the dog could
use to haul himself up (for example, check if a doghouse provides a platform
from which to jump a fence).

Do they bark a lot?

Bored Labradors
can, but excessive barking is not generally typical of the breed. Labradors
often give a warning bark in response to an unusual event that they feel
needs your attention, such as "Hey, a car pulled into the driveway!"

Will a male or female
Labrador make a better pet?

Both sexes
make good pets. In general, male Labradors are more dependent and females
are somewhat independent. For example, if you are at home working on your
computer, your male Labrador will probably sleep right under your feet
while your female will probably sleep in the other room and just come in
and check on you periodically.

Where should I get
my dog?

You have to
first decide if you are getting a puppy or an adult Lab. If you choose
to get an adult dog, you could get one from the pound, from a Labrador
Rescue organization, or from a breeder who is looking for a home for an
adult Labrador. There is more about Rescue organizations at the end of
this file. If you decide to get a puppy, you should do some research and
find a reputable breeder you trust.

How do I choose a puppy?

You need to
do some homework before you start talking to breeders and certainly before
you look at any puppies. You need to make some decisions about what sex
and color you'd like. What you plan to do with the dog. What kind of temperament
you'd like. Once you have some answers to those questions, you should discuss
your concerns and ideas with breeders. After you have found a breeder you
like, then allow the breeder to help you select your puppy. Most breeders
have a pretty good idea of what the puppies' personalities are like and
will guide you to a good choice.

What health problems
are Labradors prone to?

Hip dysplasia
can be a problem, so be sure to look for breeders that certify their dogs
through OFA or Wind-Morgan. PRA, a disease causing blindness, is also present
in the breed, so dogs must be examined yearly by an veterinary ophthalmologist.
Labradors are prone to mild skin allergies in some regions of the US, notably
Southern California. Ear infections are always a potential problem with
hanging ears. You can minimize the potential for health problems by choosing
the breeder of your puppy carefully.

What is this I hear
about the lawsuit with the AKC?

Over the past
five years or so, the national breed club for Labrador Retrievers (the
LRC) has been trying to revise the standard for the breed. Many bench,
or show, people objected to the revisions being made. The AKC took the
unprecedented step, because of the amount of controversy on the subject,
of returning the first submitted revision in 1993. The LRC resubmitted
the revised standard, still over the objections of the bench community,
and the standard took effect April 1, 1994. As the new standard included
disqualifications for height, some breeders are now unable to show their
dogs, and six of them put together a lawsuit based on the Sherman Anti-Trust
Act, claiming that the LRC rewrote the standard to admit their dogs to
the ring while excluding the objecting breeders' dogs.

It is important to
remember that a large part of the controversy revolves around the fact
that the LRC has a limited membership -- the most popular AKC breed in
the US has a national breed club composed of 700 members, down from 900
several years ago. Most of these members are oriented toward field trials.
Many show oriented fanciers greatly resented the lack of involvement allowed
them throughout the revision process. On the other side of the issue, the
LRC and the AKC have stated that they do not feel the standard provides
any hardship to Labrador breeders and have asked that the suit be dismissed
due to lack of merit. There is a good deal of acrimony on both sides that
has contributed to the overall issue.

At the moment the lawsuit
against the LRC and the AKC is still pending.

History

The Labrador Retriever
was developed in England in the mid 1900s by a handful of private kennels
dedicated to developing and refining the perfect gundog. That many such
kennels were pursuing their own vision of such a dog is the reason behind
the variety of today's retriever breeds.

Early ancestors

It's fairly clear that
there were no indigenous dogs in Newfoundland when the first fishing companies
arrived. If the native Americans of the time had any, the explorers never
observed them. Thus it's quite likely that the St. Johns dogs themselves
come from old English Water Dogge breeds, insofar as fishermen were the
primary people on Newfoundland for centuries. There is also some speculation
that the old St. Hubert's dog might have been brought over as well -- illustrations
of the breed show a black, drop-eared dog with a certain resemblance to
the Labrador. But it is unknown if the fishermen going to Newfoundland
would have had hound dogs used for game rather than water dogs.

We can only speculate
what happened, but we do know that the cod fishermen sent out from Britain
practiced "shore fishing." Small dories were used for the actual fishing,
and teams of four -- two in the boat and two on the shore to prepare and
cure the fish. They would have needed a small dog to get in and out of
the boat, with a short water repellent coat so as not to bring all the
water into to the boats with them. They would have bred for a strong retrieving
instinct to help retrieve fish and swimming lines, and a high degree of
endurance to work long hours. If the runs were heavy, the fishermen were
reputed to go for as long as twenty hours to haul the fish in.

The dog developed for
this early work could be found in several varieties: a smaller one for
the fishing boats, and a larger one with a heavier coat for drafting. The
smaller dog has been called, variously, the Lesser St. John's dog, the
Lesser Newfoundland, or even the Labrador. These dogs came from Newfoundland;
it is unknown why the name "Labrador" was chosen except possibly through
geographical confusion. Charles Eley, in History of Retrievers at
the end of the 19th century comments:

The story
[...] was that the first Labrador to reach England swam ashore from vessels
which brought cod from Newfoundland [...] It was claimed for them that
their maritime existence [...] had resulted in webbed feet, a coat impervious
to water like that of an otter, and a short, thick 'swordlike' tail, with
which to steer safely their stoutly made frames amid the breakers of the
ocean.

Part of the confusion
over the names is that "St. John's dog" and "Newfoundland dog" were used
interchangeably for both the greater (larger) and lesser (smaller) varieties.
And the term Labrador has also been used to refer to the lesser St. John's
dog, especially in the latter half of the 19th century. The greater is
commonly held to be the direct ancestor of today's Newfoundland, while
the lesser was used to develop many of the retrieving breeds, including
today's Labrador.

The exact relationship
between the two varieties of the St. Johns dog (and some 19th century writers
listed up to four varieties) is also unclear; we don't know which came
first, or to what degree they were related. Certainly the greater St. Johns
dog was first imported to England nearly a hundred years earlier, and many
contemporary and modern day writers assume that the lesser was developed
from the greater but we have no real evidence one way or another. Newfoundland
has been used for fishing and other activities since approximately 1450
so there has been plenty of time for the development of the St. Johns dog
and its varieties.

Development in England

From the time these dogs
were first imported back to England in the early 1800s to 1885 when the
combined effects of Newfoundland's Sheep Act and Britain's Quarantine Act
shut down further importation, a handful of kennels regularly imported
lesser St. Johns dogs and carefully bred them for gun dog work on their
estates. These kennels include those of Buccleugh and Malmesbury, each
of which imported lesser St. John's dogs throughout the 19th century for
their private lines.

The second Earl of
Malmesbury (1778-1841) and his son the third Earl (1807-1889) imported
the dogs and kept their lines going until the third Earl's death. In a
letter he wrote in about 1887 he noted:

"We always
called mine Labrador dogs and I have kept the breed as pure as I could
from the first I had from Poole, at that time carrying on a brisk trade
with Newfoundland. The real breed may be known by their having a close
coat which turns the water off like oil, above all, a tail like an otter."

At about the same time,
the fifth Duke of Buccleugh (1806-1884), his brother Lord John Scott (1809-1860)
and the tenth Earl of Home (1769-1841) embarked on a similar but independent
program. They lived within a 30 mile radius and developed the Buccleugh
line. The eleventh Lord of Home (1799-1881) continued his dogs, but the
line was nearly extinct about the time of his death.

However, a chance meeting
between the third Earl of Malmesbury and the sixth Duke of Buccleugh and
the twelfth Earl of Home resulted in the older Malmesbury giving the two
young Lords some of the dogs from his lines. From these dogs, given in
1882, the Buccleugh line was revitalized and the breed carried into the
20th century. Buccleugh's Ned and Buccleugh's Avon are generally agreed
upon as being the ancestors of all Labradors.

That two different
kennels, breeding independently for at least 50 years, had such similar
dogs argues that the Labrador was kept very close to the original St. John's
breed. Thus it is probable that today's Labrador, of all the modern retrievers,
is the most closely related to the original St. John's dog and by extension,
as closely related to the modern Newfoundland as to the other retriever
breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Flat Coat Retrievers, etc.

The Twentieth Century

By the turn of the century,
these retrievers were appearing in the British Kennel Club's events. At
this point, retrievers from the same litter could wind up being registered
as different retrievers. The initial category of "Retrievers" included
curly coats, flat coats, liver-colored retrievers and the Norfolk retriever
(now extinct). As types became fixed, separate breeds were created for
each and the Labrador Retriever finally gained its separate registration
under the Kennel Club in 1903.

While there have been
strains of Labradors bred pure up to this time, it is unknown how many
of these cross-bred dogs were folded into "Labradors" or into other breeds
as the registrations began to separate. Many breeders feel that crossbreeding
at this time accounts for much of the poor type that can appear today;
however claims about the use of Pointers or Rottweilers can probably be
safely discounted.

25th Field Trials of the Labrador
Retriever Club at Idsworth, the estate of Lady Howe.

The first two decades
in the 20th century saw the formation in Britain of some of the most influential
kennels that provided the basis for the breed as we know it today. Lord
Knutsford's Munden Labradors, and Lady Howe's Banchory Labradors are among
several. At this time, many dogs distinguished themselves in both field
trials and conformation shows; the high number of Dual Champions at this
time attests to the breed's versatility.

Labradors were first
imported to the United States during World War I. At this point, the AKC
still classified them as "Retrievers;" it was not until the late 1920's
that the retrievers were split up into the breeds we know today in the
AKC. The Labrador Retriever has been used heavily in the US as a gundog;
the American Labrador Retriever Club, Inc. (LRC, Inc), is to this day primarily
a field trial organization, and it was instrumental in forming the AKC
field trials..

Two of King George V's Sandringham
dogs, at Crufts, 1932.

The two World Wars greatly
diminished the breed in numbers (as it did many others). After the second
World War saw the rise of the Labrador Retriever in the United States,
where Britain's Sandylands kennel, through imports such as Eng/Am CH Sandylands
Mark, influenced the shape and direction the show lines took in this country.
Other influential dogs include American Dual CH Shed of Arden, a grandson
of English Dual CH Banchory Bolo, especially evident in field trial lines.

This return trip to
the Americas resulted in the widely expanded use of the Labrador as a gun
dog. In Britain, the Labrador was, and still is, used primarily for upland
game hunting, often organized as a driven bird shoot. Typically, separate
breeds were used for different tasks; and the Labrador was strictly for
marking the fall, tracking and retrieving the game. But in the United States
and Canada, the breed's excellence at waterfowl work and game finding became
apparent and the Labrador soon proved himself adaptable to the wider and
rougher range of hunting conditions available. The differences between
British and American field trials are particularly illustrative.

Yellows

Many old treatises and
articles on gun dogs make it clear that yellows and livers were evident
and even common before any recorded breeding was the rule. Spaniels, Poodles,
Setters, Retrievers, and even pointers occasionally displayed yellow and
liver coloring. In fact, calling a dog "liver" one or two hundred years
ago could mean any color from yellow to red to liver or brown.

In the earliest years
of the Labrador, yellows were simply culled. The first registered yellow
was Ben of Hyde, out of two black dogs, themselves from import stock. Ben
produced many yellows when bred to black bitches; if the genetics were
the same then as now, this indicates that many blacks were actually heterozygous
for black. Oddly, his yellow littermate Juno produced few if any yellows
when she was bred to blacks. However, bitches produce few puppies compared
to dogs so chance probably stepped in with homozygous dominant black mates
for Juno.

The anti-yellow sentiment
was so strong that in the 1920's experienced breeders reported being directed
to the Golden Retriever ring! At this point, dogs of this color did suffer
a wide variation of incorrect type -- it's easy to find pictures of old
yellow Labradors with very houndy features. A separate standard was briefly
drawn up to address this problem, but eventually it was felt that yellows
should simply adhere to the same standard as blacks. Today, you will find
as many, if not more, yellows as blacks of the same quality. Only in some
hunting circles will you still find the erroneous opinion that "blacks
make better hunters."

Chocolates

Chocolates, like yellows,
have also been present all along in the breed. In fact, the well known
story of the origins of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever refers to an 1807
shipwreck involving two St. John's dogs probably destined for Poole and
hence to Malmesbury or Buccleugh: one black and one liver. Some believe
that the chocolate color was introduced into Labradors around the turn
of the century by crossing with Pointers. This is unlikely for several
reasons:

Prior documented presence
of livers in the St. John's dogs.

The presence of the liver
color in many other closely related breeds, such as the Flat-coat, Chesapeake,
and Newfoundland.

Since liver is recessive
to black, it is perfectly possible to "hide" the gene in many generations
of black, especially if the occasional liver is quietly culled.

Chocolate Labradors have
gained favor much more slowly than the yellows have, although culling of
them probably declined about the same time. They did well in early field
trials at the turn of the century but it was not until 1964 that Britain
had its first chocolate bench champion, Cookridge Tango.

Chocolates are by far
the rarest color in the ring, whether show or field. They are increasing
in popularity steadily, though, and in another 10 years may equal the other
colors in numbers, acceptance, and quality. Prejudice against chocolates
in both show and field arenas is still widely present today. They are either
"too ugly" for the show ring or "too stupid/stubborn" for the field.

Standard

The Standard is the physical
"blueprint" of the breed. It describes the physical appearance and other
desired qualities of the breed otherwise known as type. Some characteristics,
such as size, coat quality, and movement, are based on the original (or
current) function for the dog. Other characteristics are more cosmetic
such as eye color; but taken together they set this breed apart from all
others. The Standard describes an ideal representive of the breed.
No individual dog is perfect, but the Standard provides an ideal for the
breeder to strive towards.

Because of copyright
concerns over the collection of all the Standards at any single site storing
all the faqs, AKC Standards are not typically included in the Breed faqs.
The reader is referred to the publications at the end of this document
or to the National Breed Club for a copy of the Standard.

Recognized

Special
Medical Problems

Hip Dysplasia

Labradors are susceptible
to hip dysplasia as well as other joint problems. All breeding stock should
be x-rayed and certified clear of hip dysplasia by OFA (Orthopedic
Foundation for Animals) and/or by the Wind-Morgan program (see
below) and/or by the PennHip methods. Most breeders will use OFA and
may optionally use Wind Morgan or PennHip as an adjunct. The breeder should
be able to provide you with copies of certifications done on both sire
and dam.

Eye Problems

Labradors are also at
risk for several eye problems including: PRA (
Progressive Retinal Atrophy), cataracts, and retinal
dysplasia. All breeding stock should be examined annually by a board
certified veterinary ophthalmologist. Most responsible breeders will turn
that evaluation in to CERF
for tracking of various eye problems in the breed and thus have a CERF
number for their dog, good for one year. You shoudl ask to see a copy of
the paperwork that is turned in to CERF, though. Because PRA often does
not appear until the dog is older (as late as 8 years or more), this disease
has been difficult to eradicate. Please, if your dog appears to be losing
his sight, have him checked by a veterinary ophthalmologist, and if he
is diagnosed with PRA, contact his breeder and send his pedigree, if known,
to the PRA Data books (see Resources below).

Dr. Gus Aguirre has
been working on identifying the genes responsible for PRA in Labradors
(and other breeds; the markers for Irish Setters have already been identified)
for several years now. It appears from his reports that a DNA test may
be available within a few years.

You can also contact
Michele Feitler of VetGen at 800-4-VETGEN
FAX 313/669-8441; their research team is trying to locate the gene that
causes PRA and need DNA samples from affected dogs and their families.
Only with complete information can we begin to remove this problem from
the breed.

Joint Problems

Labradors are also prone
to other joint problems such as OCD and arthritis. Look for breeders who
not only OFA hips but also elbows or who use the Wind Morgan program in
addition to OFA.

Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia

Breeders are beginning
to recognize a new problem in the Labrador breed, a defect of the heart
termed Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia. After a stud dog on the west coast
produced a number of young puppies dying of this disease, he was tested
and found with a very mild case, detectable only through an echocardiogram,
an auscultation (stethescope) exam was not adequate. It is NOT known at
present what the mode of inheritance of this disease is, or how widespread
it is in the breed. Ask the breeders whether their dogs have been cleared
by an echocardiogram. At the moment, very few dogs are so cleared as we
know very little about this problem.

Cold Tail

Also called "wash tail"
and "limber tail", "cold
tail" occurs when your dog's tail goes limp and he bites at it as if
it were a foreign body attached to him. This condition is not serious and
should go away in two or three days. It seems to be associated with swimming
in cold water (hence the name). It's thought to be a reaction on the part
of one of the glands at the base of the tail, or perhaps a sort of muscle
spasm. M. Christine Zink covers the condition in Peak Performance;
it is not typically listed in veterinary handbooks.

Ear Infections

Because of their drop
ears and their love of swimming, Labradors can be prone to ear infections.
Not all Labs get them, but many that do can be chronic about it unless
you take regular preventive steps.

It's a good idea to
check your dog's ears regularly. You are looking for two things. First
the ear's appearance: should be light pink or flesh-toned (yellow Labs
will have pinker skin) and clean. Second, the ear's general odor: should
not smell anything from the ear or the canal.

If the ear is dirty,
use a tissue or cotton ball and wipe the ear out. Because of the shape
of the dog's ear canal, you will not injure him by swabbing down there,
but use only your fingers, never a Q-tip or something similar. If your
dog seems to generate a lot of waxy material, you may want to put him on
regular cleaning program. You should not have to wipe out the ear very
often, perhaps once a month or less, unless he's been out swimming.

If the ear smells bad,
you should take your dog into the vet to be treated for it. There are a
variety of types of ear infections. Thereafter, you should clean your dog's
ears regularly to prevent further infections.

Many Lab owners commonly
use a solution like the following:

2 tablespoons Boric
Acid4 oz Rubbing Alcohol1 tablespoons GlycerineShake well. Put 1
small eyedropperfull in each ear. Rub it around first, and then let the
dog shake. Do this once a week and you shouldn't see any ear infections.
It works by raising the pH level slightly inside the ear, making it less
hospitable to bacteria. This will NOT clear up an existing infection,
this is a preventive remedy only. If the dog's ears are presently infected
or sensitive, this solution may further irritate the ear tissues.

Common Injuries

For whatever reason, Labradors
appear to be especially prone to ruptured
cruciate ligaments. This injury is usually sustained during some type
of activity involving twisting the legs -- jumping to catch an object in
mid-air, for example. Treatment involves any of a number of surgical options
and extremely restricted activity for at least 6 weeks after surgery. It
can take up to 6 months for performance dogs to fully rehabilitate.

Miscellaneous Problems

Other issues to discuss
with breeders are epilepsy, skin allergies and thyroid function.

The
Wind-Morgan Program

At the University of California,
Davis, under the auspices of the Genetic
Disease Control program, is the Wind-Morgan
program, an orthopedic evaluation and registry specifically for Labrador
Retrievers. Many breeders are including Wind-Morgan evaluations on their
breeding stock. Unlike OFA, a Wind-Morgan certification is for hips, elbows
AND all four hocks. A dog may be certified after it is one year old. The
registry is OPEN which means you may ask about any dog, or peruse the database
yourself, again, unlike the OFA registry, which is closed.

To learn more about
the Wind-Morgan program, give the GDC a call at 916-756-6773 or write to
them at GDC, PO Box 222, Davis, CA 95617.

This latest
addition to the suite of Labrador books is well organized, informative,
and opinionated! It is unfortunately weakened by many editorial errors
such as mislabelled pictures and by an uneven style of writing at times
targeted toward the novice and at others toward those with a PhD in medical
research.

Coode, Carole. The
Labrador Retriever Today. Howell Book House, 1993.

This book
is an excellent update on the last ten years or so of Labradors in the
show ring plus field kennels. Info on kennels in different countries included.
Photos, b/w and color. Some discussion on choosing a puppy, managing a
breeding kennel, and the standard (in different countries) included. Author
is British.

Lots of information
on Labradors. B/W pictures, illustrations. Short collection of pedigrees
in the back. Geared more toward the less experienced Labrador owner; does
not go into as much depth or detail on the breed itself as other books
do. Good general care information.

Howe, Lorna and Geoffrey
Waring. The Labrador Retriever. Popular Dogs Publishing Co., Ltd.,
1975, 207 p. (this is a revised version of The Popular Labrador Retriever
by Countess Howe).

Somewhat dated,
this book nonetheless offers a fascinating look at the breed by one of
its most influential patrons. Countess Howe was instrumental in the Labrador
breed the first half of this century (via the Banchory kennels) and she
showed many dogs to their breed and field championships in Britain. Some
illustrations.

A worthy addition
to the library of Labrador books. Chapters include History, Definition
of a Standard, The Versatile Labrador (with sections on field dogs, show
dogs, obedience and tracking, and service (including detection work)),
Breeders and Kennels (in England and the US), Labradors in Other Countries.,
the Basis of Heredity, Becoming a Breeder, Outstanding Winners and Top
Producers. Profusely illustrated with b/w photos. The history section is
an excellent, exhaustive listing of what all is known about the breed,
including at times contradictory information, all of which gives the reader
a good idea of why it's hard to say exactly how the Labrador came about.

Chock full
of pictures both b/w and color; this is the largest of the books on the
Labrador Retriever. Somewhat concentrated on show Labradors and becoming
a little dated, it nonetheless offers information on all aspects of the
breed. If you buy only one book, this is probably the best because of the
photographs included.

This book
offers an overall philosphy for those thinking about breeding Labradors.
It gives the reader much food for thought particularly as the author does
not shy away from controversy. Besides the advice, a number of interesting
stories about old-time Labrador breeders are included and makes good reading
for those interested in the breed's history as well. She includes a description
of how she trained her dogs for gundog work.

A large book
like the Berndt/Myer book, this one has a lot of photographs (b/w and color)
and illustrations and artwork. This book contains a relatively controversial
theory of the history of the Labrador, some fascinating exploration of
the "original" Labrador in Newfoundland, and much discussion on the Labrador
as a hunting retriever and a show dog, quoting people on all sides. Don't
bother with the first edition if you don't already have it, the second
is much better.

Zeissow, Bernard. The
Labrador Retriever. TFH Publications, 1995.

This is the
"official" book sanctioned by the National breed club, the LRC. It contains
a number of good photographs and details the history of the breed and the
LRC in the United States. Unfortunately some of the pictures are mislabelled;
it is hoped that this is fixed in a reprint. The best (cheapest) source
for this book is through Cherrybrook.

An excellently
written book on how to get your dog ready for the WC test. While they have
written it for the one put on by the Golden Retriever Club, it is equally
applicable for the LRC one. Informative and illustrated with b/w photos.

Spencer, James B. Training
Retrievers for the Marshes and Meadows. Denlinger Publications in Fairfax,
VA.

It starts
with puppy selection and goes on up to advanced marks and blinds. It is
oriented toward the amateur gundog trainer and is well written and comprehensive.

Spencer, James B. Retriever
Training Tests. Prentice Hall Press.

Helps you
to set up training situations and teaches you how the dog should react
to things like hills, cover, land-water-land retrieves, how the wind affects
them, etc. Lots of good problem solving material.

Videos

This is a
well done video, aimed at the person novice to Labs. It contains good information
and tips, though the section on health is skimpier than one would like.
The direction and pacing of the material is very smoothly and professionally
done.

The
Labrador Quarterly, 4401 Zephyr Street, Wheat Ridge, Colorado 80033-2499.
A show oriented publication. Dog ads plus informative articles. $40/domestic,
$44/foreign (4 issues). Also quarterly, Top Labrador Retrievers:
top labs both systems, top 20 labs regionally in the US; listings of what
each judge puts up in BOB along with entry at show. $30/year ($34 foreign).

Other
Publications of Interest

Labradors, published
in New Zealand. Good info on all kinds of every day subjects. Chapters
on excercise, feeding, care of old dogs, Labs at work (guide dogs etc)
holidays with dogs, breeding, whelping, hereditary diseases. first aid,
etc. Available for U.S.$19 (inc. P&P) payable by Bankcheque or Postal
Note to the Labrador Stock Controller, Mary Eggers, Punga Punga Rd,. R.D.1.TUAKAU,
North Island, New Zealand

PRA Data, Inc.
1309 S. Shamrock Street, Veradale, WA 99037. This is a list of Labradors
known to be affected with PRA, plus their pedigrees, when known. This booklet
is useful in trying to determine which dogs may be carriers. The 1994 comprehensive
book contains all the pedigrees previously published. If you have a PRA-affected
Labrador that is not in the book, you are invited to send the dog's pedigree
and copy of medical diagnosis to the above address.

PRA Book, published
by Isabella Krafts. Contains information on PRA in european Labradors.
Write to Krafts at Am Wispelt 12, 46499 Hamminkeln-Brunen, GERMANY, or
fax to her at Int + 281 27285 (you will need to add the appropriate prefixes
to dial into Germany from your country).

Yearly Julie Brown's
Directories. Photographs and pedigrees of 200+ Labradors in every edition.
Show oriented. Write to Julie Sturman, 7315 Granite Road, Melrose Park,
PA 19027. She is also online at dogbooks@netaxs.com.

Finnish Breeder's
Directory. Published in 1995 by the Finnish LRC. 350+ pages. Mail to
Anneli Grondahl, Kierretie 41, F-01650 Vantaa, Finland. Enclose 170 Finnish
Marks (approx $30 USD) in cash or International Postal Order for the book
plus shipping and handling. Next Directory will be published in 2000.

Labrador Retriever
Champions. Index of all breed Champions earned from 1952-1988. A new
edition is due out soon to bring the list up to 1994. Published by Camino
Book Co., PO Box 729, Kings Beach, CA 95719, 702-831-5553.

Labrador Quarterly's
The
Best of the First 10 Years of the Labrador Quarterly. Compendium of
all the articles in the last 10 years of the LQ. Many pictures, many interviews
of influential persons in the breed, and much more. $55 softcover, $80
hardcover from Hoflin Publishers.

Online
Resources for Lab Owners

Mailing Lists

There are several email
lists for the Labrador owner who has email access.

We run Labrador-L for
the interested Labrador owner, currently our subscription rate is over
1200. It is a busy and active list, and you're welcome to drop in and meet
us. To join, send email to listserv@apple.ease.lsoft.com and put
subscribe
LABRADOR-L yourfirstname yourlastname in the body of the message. You
will get an introductory Welcome file describing the general guidelines
for the mailing list.

Hoflin Publications
also runs Labrador-H, moderated by Bud Cravener. This is a quieter
list and also welcomes all those interested in Labradors. To join, send
email to labrador-h@h19.hoflin.com and put subscribe in the
subject line.

Breed
Rescue Organizations

Since Labradors are currently
the #1 dog in the U.S. (surpassing Cocker Spaniels in AKC registrations
for the first time in 1991), there is a extra special need for supporting
breed rescue. Older Labradors are often available from a variety of situations.
Most are well-cared for dogs that simply need a new home. If you are interested
in rescuing an older dog, please contact your local Labrador Retriever
club and ask about their rescue program. There are rescue programs across
the nation.

Keep in mind that the
people-oriented temperament of the Labrador means that they are quite easily
adopted -- they adjust quickly to their new homes and form new bonds with
their adoptive families.

The national coordinator
for the Labrador Rescue program is Luanne Lindsey of Texas. Her number
is 512-259-3645. Fax is 512-259-5227. She coordinates a database of all
Labrador Rescue programs. Both calls for assistance and calls giving further
information on such programs are welcomed.

Breeders

To find a good breeder
near you, contact your local breed club for a list of affiliated breeders.
Some clubs have a code of ethics for member breeders; others do not. Membership
or presence on a club list of breeders does not automatically confer reputability.
You must check with each breeder individually and see if they meet your
standards. All good breeders will at minimum be xraying all their stock
for both elbow and hip dysplasia; screening all dogs they plan to breed
or have bred, even into old age, for PRA. They will be showing their dogs
in something, whether in the breed ring, field trials, hunt tests, or obedience/agility
tests.

Their dogs will be
clean and healthy and properly housed. The breeder will be happy to discuss
all aspects of Labradors, including their breeding programs, goals, information
about Labradors in general, and information for new owners. You should
be comfortable with them and agree with their overall objectives in breeding.

Breed
Clubs

All persons interested
in the future of this breed, no matter their background and interests,
should consider joining their local breed club. This is especially true
for those involved in activities other than conformation showing. Most
clubs require that a member or two agree to sponsor your application and
that's about it.

Include a self-addressed,
stamped envelope with any inquiry to expedite replies. If you call, consider
reversing charges, or leaving a message that the person can call you back
collect. This list is periodically updated but as contacts continually
change, try to make it as easy as possible for the person to return your
calls or mail.